“I’d rather shove needles into my eyes than help you.”
Kellan rolled his eyes. “Unnecessarily dramatic and overdone. But I wasn’tasking.”
Wren pursed his lips. “Spit it out.”
“There seems to be something of a reoccurring group in Slatehollow. I think you’re familiar?”
Teddy had no idea who he was referencing, but Wren stilled very noticeably. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You always were a terrible liar.” Kellan stepped forward. “I want the information you have on this group of individuals.”
Teddy moved to intercept him. “Why can’t you go through Nexus for the information you want?”
Kellan gave him a sidelong look, daring Teddy to stop him. What he hadn’t worked out, still, after all this time, was that Teddy would do anything to protect Wren. “It’s highly classified information. Lots of red tape.”
“And you want me to cut through it for you.” Wren scoffed.
“You understand. I’ll expect updates on both.” He walked toward the door where he paused without waiting for a confirmation. “I would rethink making the same mistakes twice if I were you, boys. I was generous last time, but I’ve used up the last of my charity. Damir, see me to the door?”
He exited with that barely concealed threat and Wren grasped Teddy’s wrist as he moved to follow.
No, he mouthed.
Teddy gave him a reassuring smile that was all fake. “It’s okay.”
He tugged his wrist free and walked confidently to the door, only dropping his act as he rounded the corner, falling into Kellan’s shadow.
They walked through the doorway of the house, Kellan pulling some black leather driving gloves on as it swung shut behind them, blocking them from sight.
In a flash he had Teddy by the throat, slamming him into the wall next to the door behind a planter.
Hot breath washed over his face and fear coursed through his veins as his vision whited out for a split second.
“Lesson number one,” Kellan drawled, his eyes black pits of malice. “A refresher course.”
His hand squeezed and Teddy gasped for air, black spots blinking in and out as his ears rang.
Teddy was an adult now, able to push back, but there was still a scared, traumatized child within him who couldn’t move. Who just held still and wished for it to be over.
When Kellan finally released the pressure Teddy gasped for air.
“You take my kindness for granted. I helped you out over and over, keeping your disgusting little secrets. Shielding you from Nexus finding out. And this is how you repay me? Making the same mistakes again as soon as that thing is in eyeshot.”
Kellan sent a searing punch straight into his ribs, making him choke and gag and fall to his knees at Kellan’s feet.
“You’re weak, Damir, and I won’t protect you any longer if you get yourself into another situation. You have one chance to correct your mistake before I correct it for you.” He leaned down and yanked Teddy’s face up by the chin. “Don’t be disobedient and stubborn. I wouldn’t want to have to punish him as well.”
And there it was. His leverage. The thing that petrified Teddy. That made it impossible to act. To risk.
He couldn’t touch Wren. He didn’t want an ounce of Kellan’s filth near him.
“Don’t. Please,” he begged.
Kellan snorted, shoving his face away in disgust. “Get me the information I want. Before I come back and get it myself.”
He walked across the gravel, got into a sleek black car, and pulled out past the gate.
Teddy took a second to breathe and take stock of himself, cupping his ribs as he pushed back to his feet.
